T.J. Watt takes step toward return, works out on field before Steelers-Dolphins game

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — As he nears a return from injured reserve, outside linebacker T.J. Watt took part in about a 40-minute workout before the Pittsburgh Steelers’ prime-time matchup Sunday night at Hard Rock Stadium against the Miami Dolphins.

Watt did agility drills that focused on running and cutting.

Watt hasn’t played since the first week of the season because of pectoral and knee injuries, the latter requiring surgery.

Watt is eligible to be activated from injured reserve, but the Steelers haven’t decided when to designate him to return. Once he is designated, Watt has 21 days to be activated or he must spend the rest of the season on injured reserve.

Watt could return next Sunday at Philadelphia, but a more reasonable scenario is for him to come back after the team’s bye week. The next game after the bye for the Steelers is Nov. 13 against the New Orleans Saints at Acrisure Stadium.

Returning returner

It may have been by default, but Gunner Olszewski got his kickoff and punt return duties back when the Steelers faced the Dolphins.

Plagued by fumbles early in the season, Olszewski lost his job to Steven Sims. Olszewski was benched for the Steelers’ game at Buffalo, and he didn’t have any returns last week against Tampa Bay.

Sims had an 89-yard kickoff return to open the second half of the 20-18 victory against the Buccaneers, but he suffered a hamstring injury later in the game and didn’t practice during the week. He was declared out for the game Friday when the Steelers issued their status report.

Sims was one of five players on the inactive list for the Steelers, joining cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, quarterback Mason Rudolph, guard Kendrick Green and linebacker Mark Robinson.

Although he returned to practice this week, Witherspoon missed his fourth consecutive game because of a hamstring injury. Levi Wallace, who sat out against Tampa Bay with a concussion, started in place of Witherspoon, who was listed as doubtful heading into the weekend.

Also returning from missing the previous game were free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, cornerback Cameron Sutton and tight end Pat Freiermuth. Quarterback Kenny Pickett started for the Steelers after leaving in the second half against Tampa Bay with a concussion. He was cleared Friday.

Rudolph, Green and Robinson were healthy scratches.

Dolphins players on the inactive list were running back Myles Gaskin, wide receiver Erik Ezukanma, quarterback Skylar Thompson, cornerbacks Keion Crossen and Kaden Kohou and defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah.

Corner change

James Pierre not only was in uniform after being upgraded and removed from the injury list Saturday, he started at cornerback in place of Cameron Sutton. It was the second start in a row for Pierre, who also got the nod against Tampa Bay.

Pierre and Sutton rotated at the outside spot with Arthur Maulet playing the slot.

Pierre had been slowed in practice by hip and knee injuries.